Urban Arc: The Concert! The Little Golden Butterfly

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The spring breeze returns, and the willow branches turn tender green.

March 30th, Qiao Zhen’s 23rd birthday concert.

[@QiaoZhenV]: “My free new song ‘Burning Heartbeat’ is officially online at 00:00! Dedicated to @Qin Yichi, and to every lovely little Pearl~ (peeking out)”

Sincerely posting a nine-grid selfie to promote her work. The reposts, likes, and comments on Weibo skyrocketed instantly:

“Ahhh, happy birthday, Zhenzhen-chan! I really love you, baby. Wishing you a smooth concert and happiness every day! [kiss]”

“Sweetie, touring is hard work—mom loves you! [support]”

“Daddy fan here! Happy birthday, my obedient daughter. Waiting for you at the venue! Let’s go!”

Even some shipping fans made it to the trending topics: “Oh wow, I can already imagine how secretly thrilled Qin must be.”

“Sis-baby, you really spoil Brother Chi so much~”

Half an hour before the concert officially begins.

In the dressing room, Qiao Zhen’s makeup is complete. She looks up at her reflection in the mirror.

In recent years, she rarely dreams of memories from her previous life. Yet she still clearly remembers that after this birthday concert in her past life, a heavy rainstorm began. She was nearly hit by a red car, but Qin Yichi, who happened to be passing by, tackled her to safety.

But was he really just “passing by” as he claimed?

A soft knock sounds on the dressing room door.

Her assistant pokes her head in: “Zhenzhen, ten minutes to showtime. You can get ready backstage now.”

“Okay.” Qiao Zhen nods and picks up her custom microphone.

Fans hold golden light boards and stage control lights, forming a dazzling sea of gold like the first rays of dawn—a breathtaking starry river.

Seeing her fans chase after her with such sincerity and create this golden ocean makes Qiao Zhen’s eyes inexplicably warm.

Compared to her past life, the support is more spectacular, her popularity higher.

Everything is getting better and better.

At exactly 7 p.m., the birthday concert officially begins; spotlights flare up.

The music arena, filled with tens of thousands, erupts completely. Screams and cheers rise and fall in deafening waves, surging powerfully toward the sky.

On the giant screen, a girl in a white swan dress, crowned with diamonds, pure and noble, reflects scattered silver light under the stage lamps.

She raises the microphone and sings, seated in a huge flower basket descending from above, surrounded by vibrant, colorful blossoms.

The first song is “Music Box,” Qiao Zhen’s breakthrough track from the competitive variety show, her debut album that shattered records for Chinese female singers, sweeping music charts and awards, stunning the entire internet.

The beautiful melody and heavenly voice linger in the ears.

As the song ends, she smiles sweetly at the camera: “Good evening, everyone, I’m Qiao Zhen~”

“The first song, ‘Music Box,’ is for all of you. I hope everyone will love and cherish themselves more.”

The crowd’s screams grow even louder.

The online livestream chat explodes with enthusiasm:

“Ahhh, sis-baby! So good, ‘Music Box’ is my favorite song!”

“World’s top sweet girl, sob sob!! Such a cute little bunny, mom loves you! Mom loves you! Mwah! [heart]”

Qiao Zhen invited many industry friends and stars to the event, along with her closest friends.

Chen Meixiang, Sheng Lulu, and Yun Yue sit in the VVIP section, alongside Niu Yifeng, Zhang Yu, and Zhang Ning.

Chen Meixiang’s makeup is nearly crying away: “Is this really our little Zhenzhen? She’s grown so much. Why are my eyes watering…”

Yun Yue smiles faintly: “Under favored nurture, flowers bloom wildly.”

Much more confident than before.

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It’s long been said that Qin Yichi greatly enhances Qiao Zhen’s career luck, and vice versa. She was right.

The support and trust of lovers and friends are a powerful force.

Nearby, some guys are chatting in surprise: “Hey, I still remember four years ago when Qiao competed, we were sitting right there.”

“I remember! Brother Chi even had a nosebleed back then hahaha!”

Qin Yichi, dressed all in black with a mask and hat, sits in the middle, shooting a sharp glance upward.

Niu Yifeng immediately shuts up and grins at him.

As the concert progresses, the atmosphere intensifies.

Not far away, a fan wildly raises her phone, screaming, but soon notices something strange about the man beside her.

He’s wearing a white shirt, no light boards or support sticks, no phone recording or photos, not cheering or screaming—just quietly watching Qiao Zhen.

He shows almost no emotional fluctuation throughout the entire show. Really odd…

Almost two and a half hours in, the concert nears its finale.

Amid dazzling lights, Qiao Zhen appears in a flowing gold princess gown.

Most striking are the glittering golden wings on her back, like a golden butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, radiant and shining.

“The last song is the new track ‘Burning Heartbeat,’ dedicated to my love, Qin Yichi, and to every fan. I hope everyone can find their true love!”

No sooner do the words leave her mouth than the crowd erupts in hysterical screaming, cheers flooding like a tidal wave.

The guys immediately start teasing in “yo yo yo” mode: “Dedicated to~ my love~ Qin Yichi~”

Qin Yichi’s Adam’s apple bobs slightly; his ears burn red; his heart pounds loudly.

Thump, thump—

Though he had already listened countless times since midnight when the song dropped, the live sound is even more moving and powerful.

On stage, bathed in golden light, every strand of her hair glows, her voice striking straight to the soul.

By the song’s end, the audience’s emotions peak, boiling like water with roaring cries: “Ahhhh!!!”

“Holy crap, it’s seriously amazing, highly recommend! Wishing our Princess Zhenzhen eternal happiness!”

“The growth arc is so rewarding, Qiao’s going to set the world on fire!!! [rush]”

Below the stage, Qin Yichi’s chest swells with complex, subtle feelings, a touch of bittersweetness.

The girl who used to sing only for him now has tens of millions of listeners and fans, famous across the land.

Sometimes, Qin Yichi’s possessiveness flares, wanting to hide her away secretly, away from everyone’s eyes.

But later he thinks—

Qiao Zhen is so wonderful; she should shine on stage and be loved by countless people around the world…

The concert ends at 9:30 p.m.

Qin Yichi is led by Qiao Zhen’s assistant to an empty dressing room.

After warmly greeting her fans, Qiao Zhen flits over like a little sprite, happily throwing herself into his arms.

She obediently tilts her head up, eyes sparkling, voice bright with excitement:

“Qin Yichi, did I sing well?”

Her face says “praise me, praise me quickly,” irresistibly adorable.

Qin Yichi wraps his arms tighter around her, lowers his head, and kisses her cheeks wildly, whispering “I love you” over and over.

Loving her to death.

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While he showers Qiao Zhen with burning love, she openly lavishes him with blatant affection…

After the concert, fans suffer intense withdrawal, many leaving the arena in tears.

Suddenly, thunder crashes, lightning flashes, and a heavy rainstorm pours down with fierce intensity.

Only after most people have left does a man in a white shirt stand up.

Ji Xian holds an umbrella, wandering aimlessly in the storm, his gaze vacant and hollow.

A few days ago, his mother died in a plane crash—a tragedy that hadn’t happened in his previous life.

The accident struck unexpectedly, but he felt no emotional ripple; only a sense of finally breaking free, finally liberated.

But freed, then what?

He still has nothing.

In the previous life, he missed Qiao Zhen’s 23rd birthday concert—the very day she broke up with him.

This life, he came, but Qiao Zhen had already completely forgotten him…

Dark clouds press down like a tide, rain mercilessly pelting the umbrella with a “pitter-patter,” the ground awash with rushing water.

Ji Xian stands expressionless beneath the umbrella, eyes red-rimmed.

Suddenly, across the way, a familiar figure appears, strikingly like Qiao Zhen.

Ji Xian freezes, his heart racing, a surge of intense excitement and nervousness rising inexplicably.

She’s happy now. He mustn’t disturb her. Just one more look from afar, one more glance is enough…

He can’t control his body and rushes forward without hesitation.

Suddenly, a red car loses control in the storm, headlights blazing, speeding toward him.

For a moment, time seems to freeze completely.

A loud crash!

He falls defenselessly to the ground, struck by the heavy impact.

Crimson blood gushes out, staining his white shirt—a shocking sight.

“Damn!” the driver screams, instantly sobering, trembling all over, hurriedly calling 911.

Thunder roars, rain lashes like whips.

Ji Xian lies in the rain, utterly drained of strength. His vision blurs, consciousness fading…

Cold.

So cold.

Truly, unbearably cold.

His world is icy and barren, a dim and terrifying black and white.

Heaven takes pity and shines a golden warm light upon him.

But he pushed her away with his own hands…

Ji Xian is consumed bit by bit by regret, his heart twisting painfully, struggling to hold on.

He closes his eyes in anguish, tears of despair flowing.

I’m sorry, Qiao Zhen, I was truly wrong…